Industry

Dixons Retail multichannel sales near 50% growth

Multichannel sales grew by almost 50% at Dixons Retail in the first 12 weeks of its financial year.

The electronics retailer, which owns brands including Currys, Dixons.co.uk and PC World, today said that UK and Ireland multichannel sales, those transactions that involve both stores and online, rose by 48% in the first quarter of its financial year, while group multichannel sales were up by 39%.

Such growth outstripped its overall business, primarily rooted in stores, where, in the 12 weeks to July 21, the company reported a 2% growth in sales. Underlying sales in the UK and Ireland were up by 6%, while like-for-like growth rose by 7%. Sales were “challenging” at Pixmania, where underlying sales were down by 12% and in Southern Europe, underlying sales fell by 13%.

Sebastian James, chief executive, said: “While it is still early in our financial year, I am encouraged by the start we have made across the group. We have had a real boost from a busy summer of events in the UK and our Northern European operations continue to go from strength to strength.”